Tunnel Bob

Bob likes to go into steam tunnels. He does this all over the country and internationally. I went in the tunnels on campus while I was at the UW. It just never became an obsession. My mother was a good friend of Bob's mother and when she passed, my mother became Bob's trustee. He likes to observe and really has no malice.He has no criminal history of violence and especially no history of violence against women. I can understand why some people find him off-putting. He really just wants to have a couple of beers and watch people... that makes him feel involved.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2015(0) (0)

Viet Nam vet, no. My cousin, yes. Unfortunately, I've not met him more than a few times, but I would know if he had any kind of antisocial or violent past and he has not! Read what those who've met and actually talked to him have to say.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 23, 2013(0) (0)

There's no question, if you see him on the union terrace, that he likes to watch women, and does so in a manner that some would find excessive.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 24, 2012(0) (0)

I worked at UW in 1992. We were working on the campus computer network and had to access the tunnels. We ran into him twice. He changes the light bulbs in the tunnels. Supposedly, they leave a box of bulbs and he changes them as he finds them because they couldn't find a way to keep him out. I don't know if this is true; I was told he's a Viet Nam vet and was a tunnel rat there. Someone should ask him about that. I heard that he lives at home and walks around the tunnels for fun.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 24, 2012(0) (0)

My mother knew, and was good friends, with Bob's mother (who died recently).
Bob likes to hang around. That's it. He's not stalking anyone or casing anything. He likes to go in the steam tunnels. I did too when I was in college although I grew out of it. He is, actually, a very kind, intelligent person. He is just odd.
Posted by: erob on May 04, 2012(0) (0)

I also question whether he's harmless. I was at UW from 1993-1998, and he would follow me around a lot. I do think he has the intent to harass women and he is definitely mentally disturbed.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 24, 2012(0) (0)

No, I've seen him lose his temper and damage things.
His real name is Robert Gruenenwald. I don't know where's he's from.
Posted by: Madison-resident on Oct 08, 2011(0) (0)

I see this guy all the time. Yeah he's harmless. I didn't know he was The Tunnel Bob though, so cool.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 13, 2011(0) (0)

Wrong. I happen to know a female engineering student who has filed harrassment charges against this man. He hangs out in the engineering building and apparently there is nothing that can be done. This female student is terrified when she sees him. He is not supposed to be around her, but yet he's always in the building. He is probably casing his next victim. Steer clear of this person - as he has some serious issues.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 20, 2011(0) (0)

A denizen of the steam tunnel system that runs under the university for the past 35 years. Bob can often be spotted around campus. While slightly socially awkward, he is a really nice guy if you get the chance to have a conversation with him. Contrary to popular belief, he does not live in the tunnels, but rather visits them on the weekends.
Posted by: guitmusic11 on Mar 26, 2010(0) (0)

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